Weather Report: Tom Skilling 7-Day Forecast WGN-TV Weather Center

'Twas the week before Christmas: Chicago's historical holiday season weather

December 18, 2006|By Tom Skilling

The week before Christmas is a time of year when holiday activities are in full swing as Chicagoans prepare for Christmas and Kwanzaa, and are often in the midst of the Hanukkah celebration. While snow and cold in moderation go a long way in establishing the holiday mood, an excess of either can seriously disrupt holiday plans. It appears that this year, like in most years, Chicago's weather in the Dec. 18-24 period will be benign, but in Chicago's 136-year climate record dating back to Christmas 1870, there have been more than a few occasions where severe cold or heavy snow have brought the city to a standstill.

Sources: Frank Wachowski, National Weather Service archives

WGN-TV/Steve Kahn

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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.